Co-Curricular Activities

Program in Public Interest Law

In addition to the Certificate in Public Interest Law, Chicago-Kent offers numerous other opportunities to become involved in public interest law.

The Kent Justice Foundation (KJF), a student-run organization, promotes volunteerism and pro bono service. The foundation's mission is to enable Chicago-Kent students to pursue unpaid summer internships or low-paying summer positions with public interest organizations. KJF holds fundraisers throughout the year to provide stipends to students who qualify.

Service opportunities can also be found through the Public Interest Resource Center (PIRC), which administers the Chicago-Kent Certificate of Service Program.

Chicago-Kent also hosts the Center for Access to Justice & Technology (CAJT), which promotes the use of the Internet to make justice more accessible for low- and moderate-income people. The center's A2J Author software is used by attorneys throughout the country, and A2J Guided Interviews enable tens of thousands of people each year to learn about their legal rights and prepare certain legal forms for filing in court. Students enrolled in the Justice & Technology Practicum learn to construct A2J Guided Interviews working with legal aid lawyers across the country.

Students can also get involved at CAJT through the Self-Help Web Center (SHWC) at the Daley Center, helping self-represented litigants to search for legal information and to complete online legal forms. Students gain invaluable experience by working directly with the public.